in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened next
towards rear, pushed along 3 out, never on terms
close up, ridden 3 out, every chance next, stayed on one pace flat
close up, ridden 3 out, weakened next
in rear, stumbled 1st, headway 3rd, mistake 4 out, weakened next
in rear, headway 3 out, every chance next, 3rd and 2 lengths down when fell last
towards rear, outpaced 5 out, ridden and headway approaching last, kept on flat
held up, headway 3 out, ridden and tracked leaders next, kept on one pace
always towards rear, tailed off
prominent, led 2 out, ridden and ran on
led, headed 3rd, prominent, hit 8th, led again 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace
NonRunner
I Am Gonna Be won a maiden hurdle at Newcastle and makes his handicap debut along with Jem In Em, They Call Me Pete and Vintage Valley. The latter is preferred at this level having contested a Listed race last time and undergoing a wind operation since while Kilbrainy ran well for second over track and trip in November. But GARDE DES CHAMPS went close at Doncaster last month in a tougher contest than this and gets the vote given Keith Dalgleish sent out last year’s winner.
I Am Gonna Be (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, smooth headway to challenge 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well run-in, won at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov beating Lady Mendoza (11-2) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
They Call Me Pete 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division out wide, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, could not go pace of leader before last, plugged on in 2nd, 2nd of 10, 16l behind Chasing Fire (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Jem In Em (IRE) 5-6fav (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, racing awkwardly and effort before 2 out, 3rd and no extra inside final 100 yards, 3rd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Community Rebel (11-2) at Musselburgh 3m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Garde Des Champs (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Led until 6th, led before 3 out, 5 lengths clear flat, reduced lead inside final 75 yards, headed close home, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Clear White Light (11-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Kilbrainy (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) In rear, ridden 3 out, steady headway 2 out, kept on run-in, always held, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Half Shot (12-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Zafar (GER) 7-2 (10-12) Chased leaders out wide, led 4 out, pushed along and headed approaching 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, plugged on in well held 3rd, 3rd of 5, 10 1/4l behind Coolbane Boy (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Maggie Barrett (IRE) 10-3 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway on outside before 3 out, every chance after 2 out, 3rd when not fluent last, no impression on winner flat, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 8, 7 1/2l behind Ravenscar (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Sanosuke (IRE) 11-1 (11-13) Took keen hold, chased leader, ridden 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, 24 1/2l behind Beat Box (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Idilico (FR) 25-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, not fluent and edged right to avoid faller 9th, pushed along and dropped to detached last 5 out, brief rally into midfield 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 9th of 12, dist behind Large Action (11-1) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Vintage Valley (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Led and soon clear, reduced lead when hit 4 out and driven along, headed before next, soon weakened, left remote 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 4, dist behind Medyaf (11-0) at Wetherby 2m lst (1) gs in Oct.
Coral Blue (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Led, soon clear, reduced lead 5th, hit and headed 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 11, 18 1/4l behind Socks Off (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Darkest Day (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Mid-division, dropped to rear 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Pharisees (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden and no impression after 3 out, no extra, 12th of 16, 27l behind Kalanisi Dubh (10-11) at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp sft in Dec.
